3.5% isn't just a solid SWR, it might just save democracy in the US

[lhamo]

Research has indicated that just 3.5% of a population engaged in effective non-violent resistance can be enough to topple a dictator:

https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/advocacy-social-movements/paths-resistance-erica-chenoweths-research

From the article:

"The key ingredients of a successful nonviolent resistance movement, the researchers found, are:

1)   A large and diverse population of participants that can be sustained over time.
 
2)  The ability to create loyalty shifts among key regime-supporting groups such as business elites, state media, and—most important—security elites such as the police and the military.

3)   A creative and imaginative variation in methods of resistance beyond mass protest.
   
4)  The organizational discipline to face direct repression without having the movement fall apart or opt for violence.

Chenoweth says that the third and fourth attributes may be both the most important and the least understood, particularly the need for creativity and imagination. Street protests often lead to violent repression, and it is the protesters' actions taken after authorities try to take back the streets that can make or break a resistance movement.

Creative responses have included stay-at-home strikes in which protesters have banged pots and pans while remaining indoors. In Morocco in 2011, organizers planned a day to display the colors of the national flag, but instead of carrying banners into streets lined with security forces, the protesters released scores of Marrakesh’s infamous stray cats—whose fur had been dyed in patriotic colors.

“Injecting humor into places where the government has complete control is essential in breaking down, in people’s minds, the invincibility of the regime,” she says."

Consider this thread an invitation to get creative and brainstorm about how we can stop this rolling coup. 

Hat tip to @FruGal who mentioned this strategy earilier in the Trump/Musk discussions.  I just feel like maybe it is good to have a separate thread not just about "small acts of resistance" but maybe also bigger ones.

And it's much easier to get to a 3.5% participation rate than to 4.0%! 

[Dicey]

Thanks for this, @lhamo. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[JupiterGreen]

I appreciate this as well. Currently, I'm not listening to the news so I have no idea what hell hath befallen us this week. The last time this administration was in office was very personally taxing to me and I made a decision to step away from the news for my mental health for these next 4 years. But I am interested in savings our representative democracy, individual civil liberties, human rights etc. So yeah, I'm interested in non-violent resistance. thread followed.

[LoanShark]

I’m loving every bit of it. Tired of seeing my tax dollars squandered.

[Kris]

I’m loving every bit of it. Tired of seeing my tax dollars squandered.

If you are tired of that, it’s confusing that you are loving this.

[BECABECA]

I’m reminded of the Simple Sabotage Field Manual that the US put out during the lead up to WWII. Since it has been enough years for it to be declassified, you can read it on the CIA’s website (who knows for how long it’ll remain available):
https://www.cia.gov/static/5c875f3ec660e092cf893f60b4a288df/SimpleSabotage.pdf

There are definitely things that don’t pertain to modern society anymore, but the recommendations for ways to sabotage as an office worker are still quite relevant today.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Found it! Thanks for starting this.

[LoanShark]

I’m loving every bit of it. Tired of seeing my tax dollars squandered.

If you are tired of that, it’s confusing that you are loving this.

Would love to hear your thoughtful rationale… 🥱


[MOD NOTE: TROLL post deleted and Banned]

[lhamo]

I’m loving every bit of it. Tired of seeing my tax dollars squandered.

If you are tired of that, it’s confusing that you are loving this.

Would love to hear your thoughtful rationale… 🥱

Not that hard to debunk these MAGA talking points about supposed "waste"

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/02/sorting-out-the-facts-on-waste-and-abuse-at-usaid/

Some USAID and State Department money may go to fund projects that you think are stupid, but there are solid reasons why public diplomacy money goes to marginal groups in developing countries or places where the US wants to build civil society ties.  The leaders of those groups are often on the forefront of efforts to make their countries more democratic and observant of basic human rights, and building ties with them is a long-term process that -- in many cases -- pays off down the road when individuals associated with those groups or movements become significant leaders in their home countries who are favorably inclined toward the US.   Taking USG money actually puts the recipients at significant risk in many cases.     

It's called soft power and we used to be really good at it. Most likely China is going to kick our asses with it over the next few years. 

[Ladychips]

3)   A creative and imaginative variation in methods of resistance beyond mass protest

I don't think of myself as very creative, but I think you all are. I'd love to hear some of your ideas one this point. Bonus points if they involve humor.

[AccidentialMustache]

https://www.dailyscandinavian.com/the-fascinating-story-of-the-danish-protest-pigs/

[Kris]

3)   A creative and imaginative variation in methods of resistance beyond mass protest

I don't think of myself as very creative, but I think you all are. I'd love to hear some of your ideas one this point. Bonus points if they involve humor.

You might want to check out and follow this thread in Off Topic :

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/small-daily-acts-of-resistance-2025-edition/

[Rural]

Complying on the deadline and as minimally as possible over here. That's one way for office workers to resist.